Underbrush, branches cleared to give view of Gaspee Point

Posted
Thursday, February 23, 2012 1:00 pm

Clearing around the Gaspee Overlook on Narragansett Parkway has been completed, improving onlookers’ view of the waters of Narragansett Bay where, in 1772, Colonists, under cover of darkness, burned the HMS Gaspee in protest of British policies, Mayor Scott Avedisian announced last week.

An observation deck with benches had been installed years ago but, over time, vegetation and dense trees obscured the view. A $10,000 grant, awarded by the Department of Environmental Management through an Open Space and Recreation bond fund to preserve passive recreation and historic areas, funded development of the new “view corridor.”

“The Gaspee Days Committee is grateful to the City of Warwick for helping to enhance the view of Gaspee Point from the overlook,” said Carol Deming, president of the Gaspee Days Committee, which holds a two-month-long series of events each year to celebrate the country’s “First Blow for Freedom.” “This site is significant to the committee and the city as a place to reflect on the history that took place there in June of 1772,” she added.

Also, in a separate project, city crews have cleared a wooded area adjacent to Salter Grove, removing invasive vegetative species, trimming trees and removing dead trees, and removing a voluminous amount of debris that had been dumped in the woods.